LLNL opens applications for 2026 Machinist Apprenticeship Program

Newswise — Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) today opens the application period for the 2026 cohort of the Machinist Apprenticeship Program, a four-year training path that develops the next generation of precision machinists for the Engineering Directorate.

The program combines hands-on experience with occupation-related coursework, offering apprentices the opportunity to train alongside LLNL’s master machinists while contributing to mission-driven manufacturing projects across the Lab. The state- and federally accredited program consists of eight six-month steps and 1,000 hours of competency-based training.

Apprentices learn to interpret mechanical drawings, apply shop mathematics, set up and operate conventional machine tools, and fabricate parts from a wide range of materials — including those used in national security research. Completion of all required coursework and on-the-job training results in a Machinist Certificate issued by the State of California and/or the U.S. Department of Labor.

Apprentices are hired as full-time Lab employees within the Manufacturing Engineering Section of the Materials Engineering Division and receive step-based wages, benefits and mentoring throughout the program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens able to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q-level security clearance. Additional requirements include: a high school diploma or equivalent, completed coursework in shop math and mechanical drawing or blueprint reading, and a passing score on LLNL’s apprentice-level aptitude assessment. Strong foundational math skills and basic knowledge of machine tools, materials and manufacturing processes are also expected.

LLNL’s apprenticeship programs are designed to build a skilled workforce that supports the Laboratory’s national security mission. The machinist track, first launched in 1954, has produced more than 200 graduates and continues to serve as a critical training pipeline in partnership with the State of California and/or the Department of Labor.

To find out more about the program, visit https://engineering.llnl.gov/careers/apprenticeships. To apply to become an apprentice, visit this link.